Rutherford Cross is delighted to be working with Ambassador Group on a retained basis to appoint a Management Accountant.

Ambassador Group is a privately-owned property company, established by David Gaffney founder, and chairman. The company is active across the UK in a broad range of projects, and its primary focus comprises of; office, retail, industrial leisure and residential sectors.

The three main divisions; Real Estate, Developments and Ventures, are managed by an experienced, autonomous, and professional multi-disciplined team.

Ambassador Real Estate is an Asset Management and Co-investment platform. We work with selected capital partners by investing in value-add commercial real estate in the regional centres of the UK.

Ambassador Developments division is the generic brand covering the home building, mixed use, land and contracting elements of our group. The division has access to significant committed capital to act quickly for the right opportunity.

Ambassador Ventures division can source debt or equity for residential or commercial projects, from £3m to £100m+, across several platforms and capital structures. Solutions can range from investment in existing companies, refinancing, debt for equity swaps, joint ventures or outright sale. Ambassador acts as an advisor to several funds, assisting on investment analysis and overview, asset management/business plans and exit option analysis.

The collective experience of the senior management team spans over 100 years in property. They have underwritten, developed, invested, acquired, refinanced or advised on transactions totalling over £2 billion.

The business’ core principles are honesty, transparency, and accountability in dealings with stakeholders. Ambassador believes in aligning interests with its partners, investing shareholder capital in each transaction.

Ambassador’s sector experience and core principles provide a solid basis for delivery across the business.

For more information on the Ambassador Group please visit www.ambassador-group.co.uk

Due to continued growth and ambitious plans for the future, a new opportunity has arisen for a qualified or experienced accountant to join the business in the role of Management Accountant.

Reporting to the Finance Director, the successful candidate will provide ongoing accounting support to the business. The successful candidate will ensure financial reporting is accurate and provide analysis to support the CEO and FD on key business decision making. The post-holder will manage the business’ financial operations, ensuring that effective practices and procedures are in place.

Ambassador Group represents an excellent opportunity for a qualified accountant to work in a role that will provide great variety. The business has impressive plans for future growth. This would be an exciting time to join the company and play a key role in upcoming ventures, developments and real estate projects.

The position encompasses a combination of key accounting tasks and a positive approach to process improvement. It is likely the successful candidate will have worked in a small finance/audit team where they have been used to taking on a variety of duties.

A summary of the key candidate requirements are as follows:

• Professional Accountancy qualification - or otherwise qualified by sector experience

• Exposure to Housebuilding / Construction / Real Estate sector advantageous

• Experience of year-end statutory and month-end management reporting

• Experience of Sage / Sage Construct or similar integrated accounting package

• Excel to an advanced level

• Modelling and cashflow forecasting

• Management of staff / willingness to guide others

• Implementation of finance systems and controls

• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)

• Strong planning and organisational skills – ability to prioritise workload to meet deadlines

• Team player in a small team – willingness to cover wide range of tasks
• Willingness to deputise for FD at calls / meetings as required
• Fast-moving environment / scope for progression

The purpose of the Management Accountant role is to oversee efficient and effective financial reporting and manage its financial operations. The post-holder will ensure that effective practices and procedures are in place. The successful candidate will provide support to the FD / CEO on strategic initiatives as the business grows.

Key responsibilities include:

Systems / Procedures / Controls:

• Continued roll-out and evolution of integrated accounting system (Construct for Sage by Eque2)

• Compilation and maintenance of Financial Procedures & Controls Manual across the Group and for JV entities. Input into wider Group Procedures Manual, as required

Day-to-day Accounting:

• Oversight and operation of Finance function
• Supplier & Sub-contractors – from orders through to payment; Sales invoices; Expenses and other group financial administration; Reconciliations as required; Ongoing internal monitoring/forecast of group cash
• Month-end and Real-Time Reporting & Budgeting:

  Ambassador Group entities:

• Assistance in establishment of group reporting framework
• Real-time KPI and reporting for Ambassador Developments projects (housebuilding, construction, refurbishment)
• Real-time & monthly cash reporting and forecasting
• Quarterly Board reporting
• Budget / Reforecasting

Joint Venture reporting:

• Responsibility for Monthly / Quarterly financial reporting
• Variance reporting / Progress against milestones / KPI
• Budget / Reforecasting
• Covenant compliance
• Commercial assets
• Oversight / analysis / review of outsourced Property Management monthly reporting and related Sage input

Compliance – CIS, VAT:

• Oversight of CIS administration, ongoing compliance - Eque2 basis
• Oversight of VAT administration and ongoing compliance
• Liaison with VAT advisers as necessary to ensure correct accounting and compliance from partial exemption perspectiveOversight of preparation of draft Accounts and compilation of supporting documentation; main point of contact for Audit for:

Annual Financial Statements:

• Ambassador Group entities
• JV entities

Management of Staff:

• Management of finance team as the business grows

Business Support:

• Modelling for potential asset acquisition targets for Ambassador Real Estate and for Ambassador Developments
• Transaction support to FD / CEO for corporate / M&A, Ambassador Ventures opportunities and other strategic initiatives
• Appraisal / modeling / diligence
• Assistance in project management of transaction advisers (legal / accounting / tax)

Assistance to FD in internal initiatives such as:

• Restructuring

• Evolution of internal modeling / analysis templates
• Internal KPI / MI – ongoing evaluation / optimisation

On offer:

Salary:                            £36,000- £42,000

Holidays:                        25 days per annum plus bank holidays

Life Cover:                      3 x basic salary

Working Hours:               40hrs per week

Pension:                         4% of basic salary

First round interviews are with our retained advisors at Rutherford Cross

Second round interviews are with the Finance Director

Final round of interviews are with the Finance Director and CEO

Applications should be sent to [email protected]

All direct applications will be sent to Rutherford Cross to review on behalf of Ambassador Group.